Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-12-01
TIE TWO MEDALS.

In picturesque nook of sunny
France stands the little yine-clud Will
age of NJ. 1t is d very small
place.
Many summers ago | was rather of
an inv id, and when | CHANGED in my
travels to light upon this rustic Ar
cadia, my feet were 10th to leave, and
before long | found myself duly in
stalled beneath the roof of It's veneer
able pastor.
One evening, as we were seated in
his pleasant study, my eyes fell upon
two objects which struck me as novel
decorations for the room of a peace
able war-detesting clergyman.
They were a tiny golden star and a
large cross ofiron, hung side by side on
a square black velvet.
Could my host have had and lost a
son? / thought; and would it be
proper for me, by questioning him, to
perhaps run the risk of re.opening
the old wound?
He had evidently noticed my look Of
curiosity and my subsequent hesitation,
for | saw his eyes suddenly turn and
lix themselves upon the medals, while
an expression OF pain contracted his
brow.
'Do not speak of them, sir, if it will
cause you pain" fastened to say.
But his face had ele4.ed as quickly
as it had clouded.
"Why not?" he said. "They be-
longed to one of Gods noblest heroes.
! should like to tell you their history,
if you care to listen"
So, nothing 10th, | prepared myself
to hear the story.
sit was at tho time" he began
"when the bravest and best of my
beautiful France were called forth to
swell the forces of Napoleon, and to
fight for their native land. In this
village lived a youth of a handsome
face and manly presence, named
Pierre Layelle. He was my favorite
pupil | was the FIRST to guide his
infant mind into the paths of know
ledge; and as he grew to manhood the
love between MS was like unto that
of parent and child.
I'm the cottage you see from the
window dweit a maiden--the fairest
in all the country round; and il was
not strange that, growing up together,
both so young, and good, aad beauti-
full an attachment should spring up be-
Nween Pierre and Marguerite.
"She was we'll named; FOR as the
daisy is modest and sweet, so was she,
and | was pleased with Pierre choice,
rs was everyone who knew and took
an interest in the lovers. AT length
the Joyous bridal-day was fixed. But
within a week Of its approach a pro
clamation came, heraldcd by drum
and martial stir; and with tear-stream-
inc eyes tho old mother Of Pierre, ac-
compauied by his lovely betrothed,
came to tell me, what | learned later
from Pierre himself. that he had been
drafted for five years.
The day Of his departure arrived.
Marguerite chung 70 him despalrInglE
while the old mother wrung her
hands. and |, who loved him as well
in the midst of their grief hat 70 try
and conceal my own emotions and
bid him brave God speedr
at was hard struggle; but 40 last
Pierre disengaged himself from hts be-
uothed's embrace. and held her @
moment FROM him, looking into her
face.
Five years IS . long long time.
my Marguerite; but years will never
dim my love for yon.
"He placed her in her mothers
arms,
Love and comfort each other. ne
said. until | return.
Then grasping my hand, while 4
mans bitter tears coursed one after
another down his face, he eNelaimed;
",My good friend. leave my treas
ures in Your care. / cannot say more.
Farewell
Gle had gone the light Of my eyes,
the stan 81 lis widowed parent, aud q
Young girls first love- Such i war.
Two years gl.ded by. tiled WITH
battles some lost and some woH. We
often had news If Pierre amt enc dag
Joyous throng approached my door
and called me ID eonle on aud near
the glad tidirgs. Pierre WAS hamei
he had leave III abseneo Tor ateN days,